The Boston Red Sox took the field on this Labor Day holiday for an afternoon tilt with the Detroit Tigers. Fresh off a three game sweep of the Chicago White Sox, Boston entered the day with a nice 5.5 game advantage atop the American League East. Offensive woes on Monday afternoon however, were costly as starting pitcher John Lackey was once again given no run support to work with.

Lackey was solid on Monday, pitching seven and a third innings while allowing only three runs on seven hits. The Red Sox offense however, stranded eight base runners in the game and failed to get a single man across the plate in their 3-0 loss to the Tigers. Boston was a combined 0-11 in the game with runners in scoring position.

The trend that Lackey has had to deal with this season when he has taken the mound has been rather unfortunate and more so, rather unlucky, but it’s part of the game. Boston has set themselves up pretty well in the AL East, so getting wins as a team is the collective goal, although Lackey would surely like some more support on his accord.

In all, Boston’s loss to Detroit on Monday is just one game of a series that highlights that early part of this week. The series itself however, does hold some early September footing on the American League’s race for home field advantage, as Detroit is very much in the thick of things to do so.

The difference between Matt Carpenter the leadoff man and Carpenter in any other spot in the order has been huge this season. As they enter the stretch run, St. Louis should keep batting him leadoff. Read More

The Angels' pitching staff was already lacking depth when C.J. Wilson went down with an arm injury that could sideline him for the season. The team should now try claiming James Shields off waivers. Read More